Remembering Demi Moore’s DIY Look at the 1989 Oscars: ‘Worst Dressed’ or Trendsetter?
If her press tour for “The Substance” is any indication, Demi Moore has had her fair share of red carpet hits. One particular miss, however, has gone down in Oscars history: Moore’s self-designed ensemble at the 1989 ceremony made worst-dressed lists far and wide, and even topped WWD’s.
“Oscar Fright” was the headline on WWD’s front page, which featured Moore. “Thank God, no designer is to blame,” read the coverline.
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Moore, now a first-time Oscar nominee, is no stranger to taking style risks. Her pregnant nude portrait on the cover of Vanity Fair caused a stir, while her boyish haircut in “Ghost” — despite the disapproval of director Jerry Zucker — launched a thousand pixie cuts.
Now, in the era that has been called the “Demi-ssance,” the actress’ fashion faux pas is worth a re-examination. Her controversial look has been trending on Google in recent days, and although panned in the moment, Moore’s bike shorts-and-corset combo appears tame in comparison to many of today’s red carpets, which for many stars now function as a platform to display the most outrageous fashions possible (here’s looking at you, Bianca Censori).
It’s rare that celebrities design their own red carpet looks, a tradition which, according to Time, was reportedly a result of Moore’s critically maligned appearance. Featuring a long-sleeve bustier with a burnout velvet print — a textile that would take the 1990s by storm — and a half-skirt lined with floral brocade, Moore’s getup seemingly foreshadowed multiple current trends.
Bike shorts were one of the most popular styles of 2019, with Fendi, Roberto Cavalli and Stella McCartney putting high fashion spins on the sportswear piece.
Corsetry, too, is making a major comeback in the 2020s, for which “Bridgerton” and the now-defunct label Dion Lee are partially to thank. This trend has arguably spawned a lingerie-inspired craze, culminating in peekaboo bras and the “no pants” fad, both of which are reflected in Moore’s 1989 look.
A combination of two Millennial-Gen Z obsessions: nostalgia and ironic humor, has birthed the “ugly-chic” aesthetic — a tongue-in-cheek revival of kitschy trends like low-rise jeans and frumpy footwear (think Birkenstocks, Crocs and miscellaneous clunky sneakers), which has been fully embraced by the high fashion crowd. Designers might not have been willing to take the blame for Moore’s look then, but now, they’d likely be lining up to create a love-it-or-hate-it conversation piece, even if only for a social media moment of fame.
Demi Moore: Style Through the Years
Launch Gallery: Demi Moore: Style Through the Years
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